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ALBANY: 

PRINTED BY J. MUNSELL. 
1849. 






F ^11 



The three following letters were written at Mackinaw, in August, 1847, 
shortly after my return from spending "a few days at Nashotah." Their 
object was to correct certain erroneous views of the Institution, which were 
current among Churchmen. They were sent to The Calendar, and 
from thence copied by the editors into other Church papers. I supposed 
that then their work was accomplished, and they would pass into oblivion 
with other newspaper articles. During the past year, however, enquiries 
have so often been made for them by those wishing im'ormation on this 
subject, that the friends of Nasliotah have urgently requested their reprint 
in a pamphlet form for circulation, and I feel it a duty to acquiesce in their 
judgment on this point. I have also added my name, that any responsibility 
for the statements made, might rest upon me. 

It was first intended to rewrite the articles, and interweave an account 
of the present state of the mission, but upon reading them over, I find it 
would be impossible to do so. A few notes, therefore, have been added, 
(enclosed in brackets,) while in an appendix the progress of the institution 
for the last eighteen months is given, and also the changes which have been 
made in its organization. 

W. INGRAHAJVI KIP. 

Albany, March, 1S49. 



A FEW DAYS AT NASHOTAH. 



LETTER I. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 



It was on the morning of July 27th, that we left Milwaukie, on 
our way to Nashotah. A shower which had just passed over im- 
parted a freshness to the landscape, while the cool breezes which 
swept over Lake Michigan gave the promise of a pleasant ride. As 
we left the city, we passed a group of Indians — flaunting in the gay 
colors they so much prize — a remnant of the powerful tribes which 
a few years since occupied this beautiful territory. 

A short ride and we entered the broad belt of forest which for 
hundreds of miles stretches along the western shore of the lake. 
Occasionally we passed heavily loaded wagons, filled with the 
household utensils of German emigrants, who are crowding into the 
North West. Women, still wearing the picturesque head-dress they 
used at home, and young children, were sitting among the furniture, 
while the men, in their blue frocks, were trudging along wearily on 
foot. It was a sorrowful contrast to a scene I once witnessed on the 
Rhine. We were descending the river in a steamer which also 
carried some hundreds of emigrants who had just left the Father- 
land for the distant regions of the New World; but notwithstanding 
their recent parting from the old familiar scenes of home, they 
seemed cheerful and buoyant, and beguiled the time by singing 
their national songs. They were looking forward to a new home, 
which the imagination represented to them as an El Dorado. But 
with these, the feeling was far different. They appeared sad and 
dispirited. Worn down by the long confinement of their sea-voyage, 
they were now in a land whose very tongue to them was strange, 
and they were beginning to encounter the realities of Western life. 



For miles our road led through the forest — sometimes, entirely 
unbroken, its giant trees towering high above us — then a partial 
clearing, with the log-cabin of the first settler — then a better house 
of wood, being the second generation of buildings — or more gene- 
rally, the wooden house built adjoining the log cabin, so that the latter 
could be used for the kitchen. The corn of the setder was growing 
among the charred and blackened trunks of trees, which the fire 
had left unconsumed, while the road at times wound among the 
stumps which remained as they had been left by the axe of the first 
emigrant. Then we would come to a tract covered with giant trees, 
dead and leafless, presenting the appearance of a winter forest. 
They had been girdled the previous year, and thus killed, while the 
owner of the soil had not yet had time to fell them. 

Fourteen miles from Milwaukie, we reached PrairieviUe, a small 
village scarcely seven years old, the inhabitants of which have now 
with good taste restored to it the old Indian name of Waukeshaiv. It 
is beautifully situated, with hills overlooking it on one side. During 
the half horn- we remained to rest the horses, I accidentally met 
with our Missionary at this point, and was shown by him the church 
building. It is small, and plain as possible, with accommodations 
for less than a hundred people, while in its neighborhood the Ro- 
manists are erecting a large and substantial stone church. In this 
way it is that, through the mighty West, we permit them to be the 
first "to inherit the land." 

From Waukeshaiv it is eighteen miles to the residence of Bishop 
Kemper. Most of the way is through oak openings, by which in 
the West they mean, country covered with oak trees in clumps, 
and without underwood, presenting the appearance of a natural 
park. Here they stretch on, mile after mile, far as the eye can 
reach, so that we could imagine ourselves in the middle of one of 
the beautiful parks of England. They present, indeed, precisely 
the same appearance. At last through an o])ening among the hills, 
we began to catch distant glimpses of lakes, from which we knew 
that our journey was drawing to its end. About three o'clock we 
reached a tavern, surrounded by a cluster of a dozen houses, the 
beginning of a town to be called Delafield, where we were directed 
to take a side road into the forest, with tlie information that the 
second house was Bishop Kemper's. A mile fartiier biought us 
to the gate, and in a moment the Bishop, attended by the Rev. Pre- 
sident of the Nashotah Mission, came forth from the house to meet 

us. 
Would my readers like a description of the Episcopal Palace') or 



do those who are living amid the luxury of the East desire to know 
how a Missionai*}' Bishop lives in the far West? We might tell 
them to imagine a clearing of a few acres in the depth of a mighty 
forest, and then on the verge of the woods a small cottage-like 
building, which as you stand in front of it, presents the appearance 
of a single story, with but three windows and a door. It was the 
first building erected by a settler, from whom the Bishop purchased 
the land for a farm for his son, and then at the expense of a few 
hundred dollars he endeavored to make the house habitable. For 
probably eight months of the year he is travelling incessantly over 
his wide-spread Diocese, " in perils by land, and perils by watei-," — 
now, under the burning sun, crossing a prairie two hundred miles 
in length, without a sign of habitation — now, in districts where 
roads there are none, folJowing the deep worn Indian trail through 
the otherwise pathless forests — and now, on some of the swelling 
rivers of the West, trusting himself to a frail canoe — always, un- 
wearied in labor, "seeking for Christ's sheep that are dispersed 
abroad," far from the sound of the Church going bell, that he may 
win them to the true fold. I was told by a layman of the diocese, 
that the Bishop would land at Milwaukie, after a two months' tour 
of duty in Indiana, and without even taking time to go home, set out 
at once for the more distant West, to confirm the scattered Churches 
in Iowa. Were he to hear that five persons desire confirmation at 
a thousand miles distance, he would set off in three hours. 

When a visitation is finished, and he is able to return for a short 
time to his family, this is his home. Without a room large enough 
to contain his library, with his books and papers often most incon- 
veniently packed away in boxes — exposed to difliculties which 
would horrify our dwellers at the East — he cheerfully furnishes to 
his fellow-laborers an example of primitive simplicity and self-de- 
nial — sharing their hardest toils, and showing himself every where, 
the first Missionary of the Diocese. His own private means and his 
Missionary salary, are devoted uns]iaringly to this cause. In making 
these statements, I trust I am not passing the bounds which delicacy 
would prescribe, for I am only writing what I every where heard 
through the Diocese. Neither is it to honor the individual that it 
is done. His record is on Ijigh, and there will he receive his re- 
ward. But it is well that our brethren at the East should know 
how it fares with those who are laboring beyond the Great Lakes, 
and while they too often give to this cause with stinting avarice, let 
them compare their self-denial with that endured by those who are 
here breaking up the fallow ground, and striving to sow the seed, 



where a few years will see a scattered population expand into a 
great nation. 

We might add that the Bishop shows not only the simplicity, but 
also the open hospitality of early times, where the hearty welcome 
placed us at once at ease, while the taste and refinement which his 
accomplished daughter has imparted to her home, made us forget 
that we were fifteen hundred miles from the capital of the Empire 
State, in the far West, with its primeval trees rustling around us. 

The lands of the Nashotah Mission join those of the Bishop, and 
after dinner I proceeded thither to take up my residence, leaving 
the rest of the party to enjoy the hospitality of the Bishop. The 
President conducted me by a foot-path of about half a mile through 
the woods, and I availed myself of our walk to obtain from him 
some information with regard to the past histoi-y of the Institution. 

It was in Sept, 1841, that Messrs. Breck, Adams and Hobart, 
came to the Territory, and made their head (juarters at Prairie- 
ville, while a circuit of thirty miles around was alloted to them as 
their Mission. At that time there was scarcely a house between 
Milwaukie and Prairieville, while they were often obliged, in seek- 
ing out the scattered settlers, to thread their way through the forests 
by the old Indian trails which had been trodden for centuries before 
the white man came. In the course of the second year Mr. Hobart 
returned to the East, but Messrs. Breck and Adams have continued 
to this hour devoted to the enterprise — the former as Head of the 
Mission, the latter as Professor. They remained but nine months 
at Pi'airieville, when it was thought best to obtain a situation of 
their own in the country, and with the consent of the Bishop, they 
settled at the Nashotah Lakes. 

We had now reached their residence, a correct idea of which it 
would be difficult to give on paper. The whole of this part of the 
country is intersected by the most beautiful lakes, so that from a 
hill a few miles distant, eleven can be counted in sight, while moi-e 
than double that number can be found in a circle of twelve miles. 
They are of various sizes, the largest being about two miles in 
length — some dotted with islands — the water perfectly clear — and 
the shore generally a high bluff, rising many feet above the surface. 
Two of these, which approach within a hundred feet of each other, 
and are united by a little brook, have retained the Indian name of 
J^ashotah or Twin Lakes. On the bank of one of them, where the 
shore rises fifty feet above the water, and then spreads out into a 
level plateau, covered with oak trees standing in clumps, are the 
Mission buildings. The smooth and placid lake, clear as the famed 



waters of St. George's Lake in our own State, stretches out before 
them, about a mile in length, and half a mile in breadth. The noble 
forest trees wave around its banks on every side, while from the 
high grounds on the opposite shore, a small prairie spreads out for 
a couple of miles, having on its centre the old sepulchral monu- 
ments of the Indians. These are high mounds of earth, piled up, 
perhaps, a dozen feet, and arranged in the shape of various animals, 
the outline of which can readily be traced. One represents a tor- 
toise — another a serpent — another a bear — while some, from the 
lai-ge trees growing on them, must be of great age. 

Scattered over the grounds of the Mission, under the lofty oak 
trees, ai-e eight or ten low wooden buildings, devoted to its use. 
Chapel, dormitories, dining-hall, workshops, recitation-rooms, are 
all, here, constructed with that simplicity and plainness to which 
their poverty has compelled them to adhere. In the centre of the 
grounds, a low paling surrounds an Indian grave. Who sleeps be- 
low they know not ; probably some chieftain of the powerful tribe 
which once lorded it over these beautiful shores, but has now been 
driven towards the setting sun. The members of the Mission found 
it when they came. They have preserved it from desecration, and 
probably it will remain long after the mighty mounds on the other 
side of the lake have been levelled to the surface of the surrounding 
prairie. The view from this spot is probably one of the most en- 
chanting that the world can furnish. It has been the lot of the 
writer of these lines to look upon many of the landscapes which, 
in our own and other lands, are celebrated for their picturesque 
effect, yet never any where, among the far-famed lakes of England 
and Scotland, or even the sunny glades of Italy— has he found a 
scene more beautiful than that presented by the Nashotah lakes. 

Here it was our good fortime to meet with the Rev. Dr. 3Iuhlen- 
burgh, of New York , who had preceded us a few days, and was 
staying at the Mission. Years ago, at St. Paul's College, Flushing, 
the one who now acts as Head of this Institution was his pupil, and 
this is far from being the first time that Dr. M. has been called to 
rejoice with thankfulness as he beheld the good seed he formerly 
sowed, now bringing forth abundant fruit for the benefit of the 
Church and the world. 

Being joined by the Bishop and the ladies of the party, we pro- 
ceeded to go the rounds of the Institution, under the guidance of 
the President The first buildings to which we came were those 
devoted to the laundry department. They are on the borders of 
the lake — one being for washing — another, which contains a fur- 



8 

nace, being used for ironing — while the third is occupied as a bed 
room by the student who is over this department. As this matter 
has been the subject of more comment than any other connected 
with the Mission, it may be well to explain it fully. 

In the poverty of the Institution and of the students connected 
with it, it is of course necessary to have every thing they can, done 
by their own members, that they may pay out as little money as 
possible. The washing, however, was at first put out, and the Pre- 
sident informed me that he always expected that it should be. In 
the difficulty, however, of procuring servants in a new country, it 
was no easy work to find any one to discharge this duty.* In ad- 
dition to this, it was expensive. Some of the students, therefore, 
came to the President, and proposed that they themselves should 
do it. He found upon calculation, that this would save the Institu- 
tion $500 a year — no slight sum to them — and therefore assented. 
And now, he says, there are always those accustomed to indoor 
employments, who request to be put on this department, preferring 
it to other kinds of labor that would be allotted to them. 

Every thing else connected with the clothes, their making, mend- 
ing, &c., is done in the neighborhood, out of the Institution. 

A short distance further, on the borders of the lake, is the Bap- 
tistry. It is a flight of steps leading into the water at a convenient 
depth for immersion, where a platform has been placed on the bot- 
tom. Many of the settlers around are Baptists. The Rev. Presi- 
dent has therefore, wisely made provision to meet their difficulties 
at the outset. When he encounters those with whom immersion is 



* The difficulty, almost the hnpossibility of procuring servants in the West, can 
scarcely be realized by those who are living at the East. Where land is only a dollar 
and a quarter per acre, every settler becomes of course a lauded proprietor. His fa. 
mily therefore, feel above discharging any menial office. Even the cook, a colored 
man, who now is employed at Nashotah, had to be procured from one of the lake 
steam boats, at the enormous wages of $20 a month. And this is for doing the sim. 
plest kind of cooking, without including baking. A servant could be procured at tlie 
East to discharge all his duties, for $6 a month. This statement wiU show the reason 
why the washing of the Establishment would be so expensive. 

The reader must indeed bear in mind, through the whole of these articles, that it is 
the account of a stale of things widely diffisrent from any thing to which he is sccus. 
tomed. As the country fills up, and a different class of settlers come in, some of these 
features of Nashotah might be remodelled. At present, surrounded only by the log 
cabins of the recent settlers, it seems to be difficult to arrange it otherwise. We have 
mixed much with those who have gone to that country, and been told again and again 
by those brought up in refinement at the East, " Here we can not get servants, we are 
obliged to do our own work." Why then should this be used as an argimient against 
Nashotah — as we have often heard it — because they have the same necessity forced 
upon them? At some future day it will not be so. 



9 

a sine qua non, he takes the true ground, that the Church authorizes 
this form, and he therefore offers to perform it. In this way many 
are won, who otherwise would be driven into schism, and he in- 
formed me, that during the past year he received into the Church 
at this spot, twenty-five individuals, who thus by baptism put on 
Christ in the crystal waters of this lake, worthy of the name of St, 
Sacrament, which the early Jesuits in New York bestowed upon 
Lake George. The first portion ot the service is performed in the 
Chapel, and the remainder at the Lake. The form of immersion, 
too, is different from the way in which it is performed among the 
Baptists, where the individual is immersed backwards. Here, he 
kneels in the water, the officiating Priest places one hand behind 
his head, taking him at the same time by the hand, bends him for- 
ward till the immersion is complete, and then aids him in rising. 

We happened to have arrived during the vacation, which lasts 
from the middle of June to the middle of August. During this 
time, though the students remain, the regular studies are suspended, 
and eight hours labor a day substituted in their place. Many of 
the students were in the harvest field, whither we walked. We 
found about a dozen employed in getting in the wheat, on a tract 
which had been cleared and brought into cultivation since the Mis- 
sion was established. 

At 6 o'clock all assembled in the Chapel for Evening Praj^ers, 
The service was performed by the Bishop and Dr. Muhlenberg, 
the Lessons being read by a Deacon residing at the Mission, a gra- 
duate of the last class. 

The Chapel is a wooden building, holding about one hundred 
and fifty persons. It is painted stone color, and an-anged with such 
attention to ecclesiastical architecture as the means of the builders 
would allow. The chancel is a recess entirely separate from the 
nave — the windows are pointed — and the ceiling is a pointed arch, 
which thoy were at this time employed in ornamenting with wood 
woi-k, to produce something of the effect of an open roof Prayers 
ai'e read at the altar, and the Lessons at a lectern without the rail, 
on the opposite side to which stands the pulpit. At the lower end 
is a gallery, containing a small organ, a gift of the family of the late 
Rev. Mr. Hull, of Milwaukie. Just inside the door stands the font, 
made by a Norwegian, from the red cedar wood of the country, and 
so large as to be used for immersion in the case of infants. 

At the close of the service notice was given of the administration 
3 



10 

of the Holy Communion at 6 o'clock the next morning. Then 
came the hour of tea, and at ten o'clock the bell rang, when all the 
students were expected to retire. So ended my first day at 
Nashotah. 



LETTER n. 

GOVERNMENT AND STATE OF THE MISSION. 

We need clear and explicit statements with regard to the finances 
of our religious institutions. The publication of such statistics is 
the only thing which can preserve the confidence of the community. 
I propose, therefore, to take up the different departments of this 
Mission, and from documents recorded by others who have made 
the examination, as well as from the information I was able person- 
ally to obtain, to show as fully as our limits will allow, its present 
state, and the way in which the system works. 

I mentioned in the last letter that lands had been purchased on 
the Nashotah Lakes. These amount to 584| acres. Of this tract, 
about 100 acres have been cleared and fenced, 75 of which are in 
ci-ops. A greater part of the Mission lands will be divided into 
farms, and placed under the control of farmers who are Churchmen, 
and whose families will add to the sti-ength of the Parish Church. 
One with his family already resides on a portion of the land, and 
has taken sixteen acres to cultivate on shares.* Another with his 
family is daily expected from Ohio. He is to take the general su- 
pervision of the Mission farm, and reside in the farm-house lately 
erected. 

In addition to this, the Mission some time ago received a donation 
of 260 acres on Green Lake, seventy miles north-west of their 
present location. The object is that a branch of the Mission may 
be there established, to become another centre of influence. Thus, 
as the parent institution strengthens, it may begin to colonize, and 
in this way keep up with the tide of population which is swelling 
westward. At the time the donation was made, the lands were en- 

• [Tlie farmer now, (1841),) ciiltivalesi 4S acres. Tiie second fanner has arrived and 
cullivales 70 acres.] 



11 

tirely beyond the white settlers, but the Rev. Head of the Nashotah 
House has recently received messages, literally repeating the Mace- 
donian cry, " Come over and help us." They state that many 
Church families have already settled in that neighborhood, in some 
cases induced by the prospect of having the Mission established 
there. They desire the offices of the Church, and it is to be hoped 
that some clergy can be spared to form them into a Parish. 

Finances. — In June of this year. Bishop Kemper, (at the request 
of the officers of the Mission,) appointed a Committee, consisting of 
Rev. Solomon Davis, and the Rev. Benj. Akerley, to visit the Insti- 
tution, and report fully on every department. They made a 
thorough examination, and we copy that part relating to the finances, 
at the same time calling attention particularly to the opening sen- 
tences : 

" A fear was at first entertained on the committee's part, that ac- 
counts of i-eceipts and expenditures running through nearly six 
years would require several days before even this one point could 
be disposed of In this they were happily disappointed ; for oiving 
to the perfect system and order riding in every department of the Institu- 
tion, it required but the glance of an eye to learn any fact in relation to 
its fiscal concerns, or economical arrangements.^^ 

" It appears that 584| acres of land are held for the use of this 
Institution, on which there has been paid $675*00 for claims, and 
$505*30 to the General Government for titles, making the gross sum 
of $1180*30, while the title of 180^ acres still remains in the General 
Government. The money for making these purchases was obtained 
of W. H. Aspinwall, R. B. Minturn and others, who contributed the 
sum of $2285*44 for the purchase of land, erection of buildings, and 
other expenditures necessai*y to carry out the object of this Insti- 
tution. 

" The pi*operty above named is held by the Rev. James Lloyd 
Breck, in trust, for the education of students in Theology, with a 
view to their ordination as Ministers of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church. 

" Besides the above sum of $2285*44 — contributed by W. H. As- 
pinwall, R. B. Minturn and others, and which was acknowledged 
in The Churchman of September 24, 1842 — the following additional 
donations have been annually received and duly acknowledged, 
viz.: 



12 

For the year ending September 12, 1842, $750-17 

« « « 1843, 834-84 

« « " 1844, 2,698-22 

« " " 1845, 1,916-93 

« « " 1846, 2,545-74 

« « June 17, 1847,* 1,976-00 

10,721-90 
This sum, added to the first donation of. 2,285-44 

Shows tlie whole amount contributed up to this time 
to be, $13,007-34 

" These sums of money the Committee found recorded under the 
appropriate dates, and with the name of each donor in a book called 
The Book of Donations. 

" Your Committee next proceeded to ascertain the uses to which 
these donations had been applied, and from the Journal and Ledger 
ascertained the following facts : 

The first building erected, and known as the Blue 

House, cost $350-00 

The Chapel, 600-00 

Euku-ging the Chapel during the summer of 1846,. 400-00 

School House, 150-00 

Kitchen and Dining Room, 200-00 

Store House, with Students' Rooms above it, 200-00 

A building of eight Students' Rooms, 400-00 

Wash House, 250-00 

Carpenter's Shop, 200-00 

Barn, 500-00 

Farm House, 500-00 

Ice House, 80-00 

Poultry House, 40-00 

The total amount expended in building, and for 

which they are insured, is 3,870 - 00 

An examination of the last quarterly accounts of the Heads of 
Committees, showed a further expenditure for stock, Sec, now on 
hand, in the various departments, viz: 

• At which lime Ihe Report was made. 



13 

The steward's department, being cooking utensils, 

stove, &c., $238-60 

Bakery — utensils, 8 '37 

Garden — hoes, rakes, &c., 12 • 75 

Medical — drugs, medicines, instruments, 105*00 

Dairy — twelve cows, calves, chums, pans, &c., 247*75 

Land clearing — ploughs, wedges, &c., 30*00 

Farming — oxen, ploughs, axes, &c., 310 * 00 

Carpenter — tools, 37* 59 

lufii-mary — utensils for chambers, 8 * 60 

Poultiy — chickens and turkeys, 17*00 

Washing — boiler, washing machine, &c., 56*26 

Clothing — wearing apparel now in use, material for 

new, bed and bedding, 1,295*89 

Tailoring — flat-irons, shears, &c., 10* 75 

Brickyard — machines, levelling at yard, &c., 108*75 

The whole amount of property in the various depart- 
ments amounts to the sum of, $2,487*31 

To this must be added the cost of clearing, breaking 

up, and fencing eighty-two acres of land, 820*00 

Adding to these sums the money paid for claims, 

titles, &c., 1,180*30 

And the cost of buildings, 3,870*00 

We have, as the outlay for land, buildings, stock, &c., 

the gross sum of, $8,357*61 

Further expenditures have occurred, in the maintenance of 
students. 

Students. — During the year 1841, the Institution had one student; 
in 1842,^re,* in 18i'3, eight ; in ISii, twenty-eight. Of these twenty- 
eight, six were mere academical students, and were dismissed at 
the end of the year. In 1845, the Institution had twenty-one; in 
1846, twenty-three ; at the present time, twenty-three. 

" The actual cost in maintaining the students in clothing, food, 
lights, &c., has been $75 per year and labor. Counting the stu- 
dents year by year, eighty-five have been supported for twelve 
months, and twenty-one for six months. The eighty-five for twelve 
months, at the rate of $75 a year, have cost the Institution $6,376 ; 
and the twenty-one for six months have cost $787*50; making a 
total expenditure for clothing, food, &c., $7,162*59. This sum 



14 

added to $8,357 "61, beiiig the cost of lands, buildings, stock, &:c., 
shows ail outlay of $15.5'20" 11. The amount of douations to this 
Institutiou, as shown alwve. has been 813,007-34. Tims leaving a 
balance in favor of the Institution, of S"2,51'2 • 77." 

The Comiuinee conclude tlieir report by stating their confidence 
*• that the moneys contributed to this Mission have been faithfully 
and judiciously applied.'' 

Government. — The Bishop of the Diocese is the Head of the In- 
stitution, and has over it an entire control. The Pastor, so far as 
empowered by the Bishop, and in accordance with the rules of the 
Institution, administers its government. 

Members of the Institution. — Xo person can enter the Institution 
imder the age of filteen years. 

The members are divided into Students and Lay-brothers. All 
enter as candidates for studentship, and undergo a probation of six 
months. At the end of this time, it' the Bishop, tlie Rev. Pastor, 
and the Rev. Professor, are satisfied as to their piet}-, and deem them 
endowed with sufficient mental capacity to exercise the Christian 
ministry to the glory of (rod and tlie edifying of His Church, they 
are then permined to matriculate as Students, by promising a strict 
obedience to the Rules and Regulations of the Instinition. At the 
end of six months after being admitted as Students, they may become 
Lay-brothers. The motive with a Student for becoming a Lay-brother 
may arise, either from a desire to share his abundance with poorer 
brethren, or Irom an inability to support himself If he becomes a 
Lay-brother, all moneys received by him must pass into a common 
fund, fixam which fund all the Lay-brothers receive their support e. 
g., clothing, food, washing, use of text books, and when ordained, 
an outfit, either in money or books, as they shall most need. The 
Lay-brothers also shall bind themselves to remain three years at the 
Institution, unless in the mean time admitted to Holy Orders, in 
which case, as in the case with all who are ordained, their connec- 
tion with the Instimtion is severed. If any do not feel disposed to 
become Lay-brothers, they remain as Students. In this case they 
must provide themselves witli clothing, hghts, medical attendance, 
stationery, an axe, and pay to the Instimtion >"2o per year. They 
must also furnish themselves with text books, imless payment is 
made for the use of the same by extra work- 

Labor. — There are thirteen Committees, the names of which de- 
signate the kind of work done bv the members, viz : Gardening 



15 

Bakery, Medical, Dairy, Farming, Carpentering, Infirmarj', Clearing- 
land, Washing, Clothing, Tailoring, Poultry and Steward. 

The Clothing and Tailoring Committees regulate suppljing the 
members with proper clothes, which are ordered and made out of 
the Institution. 

The Infirmary Committee see that the students when ill are pro- 
perly nursed and every want supplied. On a student joining the 
Institution, he is a member of a section of four, and when Ul, the 
members of his section take care of him, under the direction of the 
above Committee. 

The Committees are permanent, except where a young man dis- 
covers no capacit}' for the particular branch of labor at first assigned 
him: in that case he is transferred to another, till he finds his proper 
place, in which, when found, he labors, till his connection with the 
Institution is severed. The head of each committee is held respon- 
sible for the tools, fiimiture &c., belonging to his department, and 
also for the faithfiilness of the work done by the members under 
him. He is also required to render a quarterly account of the con- 
dition of his department, which account is examined by the faculty. 
In addition to the reports of the heads of Committees, each Com- 
mittee man is required to make an individual report of his personal 
expenses, labor, breakage, &c. Each is charged with his expenses, 
as clothes furnished, &c., also with breakage, and is credited with 
his labor at a fair valuation. 

Studies. — The course is thorough both in theological and acade- 
mical learning. Students deficient in the latter are obliged to pre- 
pare themselves before being admitted candidates for Orders, and 
the time required is of course regulated by the capacity and industry 
of the individual. The course of study is directed by the Bishop 
and the Facultj-. The theological branches are taught exclusively 
by the professor of theolog)-, while the more advanced Candidates 
for Orders assist him in the mere academical branches. " As to the 
Rev. Professor himself," says the Report fi-om which I have already 
quoted, " we have only to refer to the class of seven who were or- 
dained in Ember Week of last Lent. These are li\ing wimesses to 
his abilitj^ as a teacher, and to his soundness in ' the Faith once de- 
livered to the saints.' " 

I have been thus particular in giving the financial Report of the 
Mission, and its whole internal arrangements, because those who 
conduct it desire that its principles should be investigated and sub- 
mitted to the Church. Nothing here is done in a comer. The 



16 

founders of the Mission assume no authority to themselves in right 
of their lahors. They grasp at no power and assert no control over 
the disposition of its funds. They feel that they are only the agents 
of the Church, and amenable to her. They would submit them- 
selves entirely to her voice. It is their intention, as soon as possible, 
to free themselves from the responsibility of having the property in 
trust, by procuring a satisfactory act of Incorporation at the next 
meeting of the Legislature of Wisconsin.* 

The whole plan of the Institution is indeed one eminently adapted 
to the wants of our country. The trifling expense of education here 
renders it accessible to many who would be debarred from our 
other Colleges. The plan too of taking students at any stage of 
their progress is a new one. It unites all in one brotherhood, from 
the graduate of foreign Universities to the untutored Indian, who, 
when he enters the Mission, is unacquainted even with the rudi- 
ments of the English language. No preparation is required for ad- 
mission, except that which is of the heart and the spirit. None 
need therefore to be ashamed of his ignorance, or for this cause 
draw back. Here he will be taught to supply the deficiencies of his 
early days, and with patient toil be disciplined year after year until 
he is able himself to become a teacher. 

It inculcates too, so thoroughly a spirit of self-denial. The can- 
didate is thus prepared to endure hardness, and amid his wearing 
labors in this western wilderness, he feels that nothing new has 
happened to him, for the lesson was ever inculcated that thereunto 
was he called. We might too, speak of him who is the Head of 
the Mission — who, leaving a home of refinement and elegance, has 
for six years labored amid difficulties and trials, which nothing but 
his calm decision and indomitable energy could have stumounted. 
But we forbear, because we know he himself would shrink from 
disclosures like this, leaving what he has done in secret to be judged' 
and rewarded by Him who seeth in secret. 

We would merely remark, that he has infused his own spirit into 
the Institution, and we would ask, whether in this day of self-seek- 
ing and ease, such efforts should be looked on coldly by the Church, 
and with fields whitening around them for the harvest, the members 
of this 3Iission shall be crippled year after year, and the triumph of 
our faith held back, because their brethren of the East will not give 
of their abundance to furnish the armor, without which the young 
soldier of the Cross can not be arrayed for the battle. 

* [This has been done. The property has been transferred to the Trustees of Na. 
ghotah House, which has been incorporated as a missionary college with University 
powers.] 



17 
LETTER m. 

THE DAILY ROXJTINE. 

At Nashotah the history of a single day will convey a correct idea 
of the routine of the year. I return therefore to our narrative, at 
the beginning of the second day. At 5 A. M. I was awakened by 
the bell, which hung from a lofty oak tree. At this hour the stu- 
dents are exjiected to rise. At six, another ringing of the bell called 
to prayers at the Chapel. In accordance with the notice given the 
evening before, the Holy Communion was administered, and only 
the Communion Service used at this time. They began the custom 
of having the Holy Communion on Thursday mornings, at a time 
when the members of the Mission were generally scattered through 
the country on Sundays. Since the ordination of the last class, 
however, a number of the stations where lay readers were employed 
have been filled by clergymen, and the students are now more at 
home than formerly. They continue, however, to have the Com- 
munion every Sunday, Thursday, on all Saints' Days and Holy Days, 
and the days after the prominent festivals, for which a Preface has 
been appointed. The members of the Mission, however, are left 
at liberty as to the frequency of receiving. On this occasion, when 
the Offertory was read, some bank bills were placed in the plate by 
one of the students. This I was informed was a donation they had 
lately received. All such are offered at the altar previously to being 
used. 

The Morning Prayer was said at 9. This takes place at this 
hour on Thursday alone, in consequence of the Morning Commu- 
nion. On all the other days, the Morning Prayer is at 6 A, M. 

At 12 each week day a Litany is said. For these occasions, ex- 
cept on Wednesday and Friday, when the Litany of the Church is 
used, special sei-vices have been prepared, which have been ap- 
proved by the Bishop. The attendance on this service is voluntary, 
buc the members of the Seminary are divided into three courses, 
who attend by turns, so that each one is present twice a week. 
These Services, which are simply domestic prayers, seem to be 
composed in the spirit of early and better times, and imbued with 
the deepest spuut of devotion. As a specimen, we copy a part of 
that for Monday — "A Litany to the Holy and Undivided Trinity "* — 

* From Dr. Berrian's excellent Manual, " Enter into Thy Closet," p. 56. 

3 



18 

to show in how affecting a maimer it brings in review before the 
miud every portion ot'our Lord's Ht'e: 

" For Thy miraculous conception by tlie Holy Ghost, and Thy 
humble birth from the Virgin Mary : 

Response- Our souls do nuignify TTiee, O Lord. 

For Tliy meek subjection to Thy parents in the meanest olRces 
of private lite: and for Thy condescension to the form of a servant, 
tliough Thou wert Lord of all : 

A*. Our souls do magriify TTiee, O Lord. 

For Thy tasting and retirement in the desert; for Tliy mildness 
and benignity in conversation ; lor Thy heavenly doctrine and glo- 
rious miracles : 

R. Our soids do magm/y thee. O Lord. 

For tlie compassionate tears which Thou sheddest over Jerusalem ; 
ibr tlie humble washing of Thy disciples' feet, and tor the glorious 
institution of tlie blessed Eucharist : 

R. Our souls do magnify Thee, Lord. 

For Thine agony and bloody sweat in the garden of Getliseniane ; 
for thine entire self-denial and absolute submission, not only to the 
will of Thy Fatiier. but even to that of Thine enemies : 

R. Our soids do magnify Thee. O Lord. 

For thine incomparable patience in tlie ^^olence and outrages of 
Thv persecutors against Thy Sacred Person; for Thy wonderful 
silence whilst they falsely accused and mijustly condeained Thy in- 
nocence : 

R. Our souls do magnify TTiee. O Lord. 

For Thy perfect resignation whilst they shamefully stripped Thee 
and cruelly scourged Thee ; for Thy admirable meekness whilst 
they crowned Thee wixh thorns and forced Thee to carry Thy 
Cross; which was laden with llie sins of tlie world; 

R. Our souls do magnify Thee, O Lord. 

For Thy immovable constancy whilst they fastened Thee to the 
Cross, piercing Thy blessed hands and teet with nails, and giving 
Thee vinegar and gall to drink! 

R Our soids do magnify Thee., O Lord. 

For the infinite compassion and Ibrbeai-auce of Thy spirit in ex- 



19 

cusing their sin and praying Thy Father to forgive them, even in 
the extremity of Thy tortures; 

R. Our souls do magnify Tliee, O Lord. 

For Thy glorious resurrection from the grave, and triumphant 
Ascension into Heaven ; for sending Thy Holy Ghost to abide with 
Thy Church forever, and promising to be with us Thyself to the 
end to the world: 

R. Our souls do magnify Thee, O Lord. 

At 5 P. M. we again assembled for Evening Prayer. To my 
mind there was a solemnity in the Service gi-eater than I have often 
felt beneath the lofty arches and fi-etted roof of some magnificent 
Cathedral. Without all was stillness. Scarcely a ripple disturbed 
the lake, or a breeze stirred the leaves of the old oak trees above 
us. The only sound heard was the swell of the organ, and the 
anthem raised by manly voices, as it was borne over the old Indian 
grave, and floated through the glades of the forest. Around me 
were kneeling together, Americans, English, Irish, Swedes, a Dane, 
a Norwegian, a converted Israelite, and the dusky sons of our own 
forests. Of the latter there are now three at the Mission, two of whom 
on this occasion, were members of the choir. They came scarcely 
acquainted at all with our language, which had to be learned before 
they could commence their studies. One of them has been four 
years connected with the Institution and is expected in about four 
years more to be ready for Orders, and thus able to return a teacher 
to his tribe. This is the principle of the Institution — to let each 
one on leaving it return to his ovm countrymen in the territoiy.* 

These Indians are Oneidas from the Mission of Mr. Davis on 
Duck Creek, where a flourishing Church has been formed, and a 
system of discipline adopted as strict, as that introduced by the Je- 
suits, and far more efficient. The Indians, in their own figurative 
language, have bestowed on Bishop Kemper a name signifying Tlie 
Keeper of the Word, and on Mr. Davis that of Tlie Clear Sky. When 
the late Convention of oui- Church was held at Milwaukie, four Lay 
Delegates fi-om the Oneidas appeared and took their seats. They 
walked the whole distance firom the Mission, the last day ti-avelling 
fortj'-five miles. On the evening that the Convention closed, a re- 
solution was passed expressing the gratification of its members at 
the presence of their Indian brethren; which being explained to the 

* [During the past year a Welsh student has also been received into the seminary 
to be educated for the Welsh population, already numerous in Wisconsin.] 



20 

Chief, he rose with the interpreter, and replied in his own tongue 
in a short speech, which even when heard as a translation, 
showed the point and sense which has always marked the addresses 
of our Indians. We believe, however, that it is the first time the 
voice of one of om- aborigines has been heard in the Councils of the 
Church. 

But to return to the routine at Nashotah. At 9 P. M. they meet 
again for family prayers, though attendance on this service, like that 
at noon, is voluntary. Thus it is that they continue "instant in 
prayer," endeavoring to sanctify each portion of the day, and in this 
distant wilderness, which a few years ago the foot of the white man 
had scarcely trodden, to keep the fire perpetually burnmg on the 
altar. 

On Sunday at 6 A. M. is a special service which has been prepared 
with the consent of the Bishop, and adapted to the wants of the 
members of the Mission, For the public worship during the rest 
of the day, the regular services of the Church are of course used. 
On this day the Chapel is filled with the settlers from the neigh- 
borhood, and exclusive of the members of the Mission, has 45 com- 
municants. This building, however, is not to be used much longer 
for a Parish Church. About half a mile distant, a portion of ground 
has been purchased, on which one is to be erected. The rest of 
the ground has been solemnly consecrated by the Bishop as a 
burial place for the members of the Church. No one indeed can 
travel through the far West without seeing the necessity of some- 
thing of this kind to impress upon the inhabitants a respect for the 
mortal remains of their friends. We see gi-aves scattered by the 
way-side and in the fields, where in a few years there will be no 
record that any are awaiting the i-esurrection. They need some- 
thing to remind them, that precious in the sight of the Lord are 
even the bodies of His saints. 

During the last year the members of the Mission had 17 stations 
for preaching and lay reading, within a ckcuit of thirty miles. Sev- 
eral of these have since been permanently filled by the last class 
ordained. Among the Norwegians, (of whom there are 19,000 in 
the territory,) I believe there are two pai-ishes and nine stations, and 
it is hoped that before long arrangements will be made by which 
this entii-e body of Christians will conform to the Church. The 
students act as lay-readers and catechists. When, from the scat- 
tered situations of the settlers, they cannot form Sunday Schools, 
they go from one log cabin to another, every where catechising the 
young, sowing the good seed of the word, and thus "seeking for 



21 

Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children who 
are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved 
through Christ forever." It is in this way that they are enabling 
the Church to pre-occupy the territory. 

On Saturday afternoon those who are thus employed, disperse to 
their posts, walking often the distance of sixteen miles, and return- 
ing on Sunday evening or Monday morning. The President has at 
times walked thirty miles, to the extremity of their mission. For- 
merly he was accustomed every summer to depart with his assist- 
ants on a tour for a month, carrying their tent and encamping at 
night, that he might thus visit every portion of the field allotted 
them. The multiplication of clei-gy, however, now renders this 
unnecessary. Their journeys are shorter, taken with their knap- 
sacks on their backs, while the filling up of the couutiy with settlers, 
ensures them some place of rest at night. 

Meals. — At 7 they assemble for breakfast — at a quarter past 12 
for dinner — and at 7 P. M. for tea. Formerly the cooking was 
obliged to be done by those connected with the Mission. This ne- 
cessity, however, has now ceased ; a regular cook (a colored man,) 
has been employed, by whom the duties of this department (baking 
excepted,) are discharged. 

Hours of Study and Labor. — In winter time the hours of study 
and recitation are from 7 A. M. to 12, and from 7 P. M. to 10 P. M. 
In the afternoon they labor from li to 5^. In January and February 
the hours of labor are i*educed to two. In vacation, (from the mid- 
dle of June to the middle of August,) when their studies are sus- 
pended, they labor eight hours a day. During August, leave of ab- 
sence is granted to one-half the students for a week, and then, on 
their return, to the other half for the same length of time. By this 
arrangement a sufficient number are retained at the Mission to carry 
on its labors. 

Each has his separate room, where the utmost cleanliness and 
neatness ai*e seen. Candidates for Holy Orders study in their own 
rooms; the others mostly in the school room, under the direction 
and in the presence of the Rev. Professor, that he may render them 
assistance when necessaiy. 

I have been thus particular in giving, as far as possible, a correct 
and minute account of the an-angements of the Mission, because it 
is a new feature in our Church, and one which is daily exciting 
more interest at the East. As is the case with every new enter 



22 

prise, mistakes have been made, whicli the officers of the Institution 
are endeavoring gradually to rectify. They feel that every year they 
are gaining experience, and rendering the Mission more efficient. 

Tf'hat then has the Mission already accomplished'} It has been a 
centre of influence which has been felt over the whole territory. 
Thi'ough its instrumentalit}', congregations have been gathered in 
many places, and in this diocese alone is the Church doing any 
thing to keep up with the population — to affiard its offices to our 
brethren from other lands, before they have wandered into the nu- 
merous sects which are peculiarly rife in a new country. It is for 
this reason that Wisconsin is now — in the very year in which its 
Primary Convention is held — actually stronger in Chiu'ch influence 
than most of the dioceses of the West, which have been organized 
for years. The very first class which lefl; Nashotah during the last 
spring, furnished seven Clergjmen to the Diocese. Two of them, 
Messrs. Keene and Ingraham, are laboring with zeal and success 
to build up two new Parishes in the rapidly growing city of Mil- 
waukie. Another has a Parish formed from our people who have 
emigrated from the East. Another has gathered an interesting 
Parish of English settlers. Another has taken the place of Mr. 
Davis, among the Oneidas, as his health required for a time, change 
of climate. Another, Gustaf Unonius, a Swede, is now laboring 
among his own Scandinavian brethren at Pine Lake, where he has 
a thousand persons under his charge, among whom are two hun- 
dred and fiftj- communicants. Anothei*, Dr. Johnstone, has three 
stations at which he officiates. 

These, too, were all men fitted tor the West — trained to endure 
hardness — and for years familiar with the field on which they have 
entered.* "You can not" — said a laymen of the Diocese to me — 
"you can not exaggerate the self-denial of the Nashotah Clergy." 
And so, if the Church supports tliis Institution, will it be year after 
year. Such will be the sons she will ever send forth. 

* One of the most common charges against the Instilution is, that the doctrine of the 
celibaqj of the Clergy is inculcated. We take, therefore, lliis opportunity to deny it. 
Such is not the case. The only foundation for the story is, that a student upon joining 
the Institution, pledges himself not to form any engagement with reference to matri. 
mony during his union with it The moment he is ordained, he is of course lefl free 
to do as he pleases. We believe there is uo one acquainted wth the slate of things in 
gome other Semmaries of our Church, but must feel that it would be belter for the stu- 
dents if they were under the restriction of this rule. If there was less visiting, there 
would be more theology. 



23 



WHAT DOES NASHOTAH MOST NEEL ? 

I. Scholarships. — Seventy-five dollars per annum will support a 
student. And how many are there among the wealthy laymen of 
our Church who could easily pledge this sum for a stipulated 
period ? Thus, in a few years they would be the means of intro- 
ducing another Clergyman into the Church, and feel that through 
theu- instrumentality, Sunday after Sunday, the Gospel is preached 
in the far West, and hundreds hear it who but for them might have 
gone down to eternal death. There is no reason why in a few 
years this Institution should not have 150 students instead of 25. 
Its influence might be ten-fold inceased, if the Chm-ch would give 
the means. There are hmidreds of young men in humble life scat- 
tered through our land, who can not go to our other Seminaries, but 
here might be trained for the ministry, because here they can begin 
with the very rudiments of education. 

n. A Library. — The Libraiy now contains only 1060 volumes. 
They need theologj-, reference books and particularly text books. 
Of the latter there are not enough for the use of the students. Had 
not some been procured from the Library of the Bishop, the last 
class could scarcely have completed its studies. And how many 
volumes of the Greek Testament, Bm-net, Pearson, «fcc., are lying 
idle at the East, which here would be most diligently used? They 
need books of ordinary religious reading to lend through the neigh- 
borhood. They need, too, books of general literature. Of these 
there are scarcely any in the Mission. It must be evident, too, that 
most of the young men come here totally uninformed on literary 
subjects, while they find no means of supplying this want— no 
books to read for the culture of the mind or relaxation. The dona- 
tion, by a few families at the East, of the volumes they have read 
and then thrown aside as useless, would remedy this evil. Philo- 
sophical apparatus too is absolutely necessary at this time to enable 
the Professors to carry on the scientific education of the students. 

ni. Funds for Building. — It will be seen fi-om the account given 
in the fii-st of these letters, that the buildings now erected are only 
temporary and would soon be insufficient. The officers of the In- 
stitution, too, are well aware that they must build for the future. 
Every plan therefore adopted has permanency in view. And such 
is the object they will have in the construction of their buildings. 
Dr. Muhlenbergh has kindly consented to procure a proper plan 
from an architect in New York, and in conformity with this they 



24 

will build as soon as they have the means. Everything will be 
substantial, and in its architecture conformed to the purpose for 
which it will be used. They expect it to be the work of years — 
perhaps of generations — yet they will build on, like the successive 
architects of those grand cathedrals abroad, remembering that they 
are toiling for coming ages, and keeping one great plan always in 
view, so that when the whole is at last finished, all will be marked 
by unity. 

Will not the friends of the Institution then aid this design ? Let 
contributions be given expressly to form a " Building Fund," and 
then as years go on, we shall see gradually rising on the banks of 
this beautiful lake, a noble structure whose very architecture will 
tell of the Church. What a monument would it be for many of 
our wealthy men, should they erect a portion of these buildings, so 
that centuries hence, when they have been long sleeping in the dust 
" their works should follow them," and from the hall which they 
reai'ed, men each year come forth to preach the doctrines of our 
Holy Church ! 

But we must close this article which has already extended beyond 
our intentions. Yet we have written fully and earnestly, from the 
feeling that Nashotah is the hope of the Church at the North West, 
and as such deserves to be thoroughly understood. It is a model, 
too, fi-om which other institutions will be copied. We mean not in 
their outward arrangements alone, for this would be vain, unless 
they imbibe also the spirit of self-denial which forms the life and 
soul of Nashotah. It pervades every department, and is evident 
even to the casual visitor. " While I was there " — said one of them 
to me — " I felt that, after all, there is another world." 

Will the Church support it and enable it to extend still further its 
influence, or shall we excuse ourselves by criticising its arrange- 
ments? It is easy to find fault — easy for those who are living at 
the East in comfort, to carp at the efforts of their brethren who for 
Christ's sake and the Church are enduring hardness — easy to 
detect flaws in the manner in which they accomplish their work, 
who are placed on the outposts of the Church, easier far than to 
imitate their self-denial. Yet is this the Christian spirit? Suppose 
that eveiy minute point is not exactly as we should wish it, are we 
to look with a jaundiced eye upon these, or fix our attention on the 
great whole? Are we to sacrifice the interests of the Chm"ch at the 
West to ti'ifles? Time is passing on, and the working days of life 
are going by, yet when its evening comes, would we not rather 
have the retrospect of those who now at Nashotah are sacrificing 



25 

everything to this cause, than that of many at the East who hold 
back their hand from aiding them, because every thing is not pre- 
cisely conformed to their views ? Which will receive the noblest 
reward, when the test is — " They who have suffered with me shall 
also reign witli me?" 



APPENDIX. 

March, 1849. 

Eighteen months have passed since the foregoing letters were 
written, and the Nashotah Mission has therefore been subjected to 
a still further test of time. Its course, however, has been onward, 
each month has demonstrated more conclusively the stability of 
the principles on which it is founded, and enabled it to exert a 
wider influence for the Church, through all the North West. It 
will- be well, therefore, to mark its progress, and state the points in 
which changes have taken place. 

The principal of these is, the Incorporation of the Mission by Act 
of the Legislature of Wisconsin. This is a charter fully satisfactoiy 
in every particular to the friends of the House. It is endowed with 
University powers, and every right is secured to it which is neces- 
sary for the entire presei-vation of those distinctive Church princi- 
ples, to advance which it was established. The Trustees, who can 
not exceed seven in number or be less than five, have been appointed, 
and the whole property of the House has been transferred to their 
keeping. The Mission itself, in all its departments, is governed by 
a Faculty, composed of the Bishop and Clerical Members of the 
House. 

The Charter recognizes the following departments as connected 
with the Mission, viz. : 1. The Divinity School. 2. The College. 
3. The Academical Department. 4. The Parish School. 

Of these, the Divinity School, which was earliest established, is 
always to be first and controlling in its influence. To it is committed 
the entire internal arrangement of the whole community at Nasho- 
tah. To its students the Faculty are to look, as those most deeply 
interested both in the spiritual and temporal affairs of the whole 
Mission. It is not to be, as in most institutions, Jirst the College, 
and second the Divinity Fepartment, but the latter is to stand Jirst. 
The principle on which every thing is founded is, that the whole 
Institution is to have no existence apart from the Brotherhood of 
4 



26 

the Theological Department. When that perishes, it is felt that ail 
the Church can prize at Nashotah, must likewise perish. With 
the students of this alone, there is manual labor, and a constant 
home. Tlie members of tlie other three departments are excused 
from labor, and are pay scholars. With these, when vacation conies 
Nashotah ceases to be a home ; but with the fii'st department, its 
members remain and pursue their labor the more closely, because 
studies are for a time suspended. It is to be separate too, not only 
as a department, but in its location. To it will always be attached 
the Ciiapel of the House and the Library, and thus all arrangements 
will tend to show that this is regarded as tlie most important feature 
of the Mission. The present number of students is about thirty. 

The College will not probably be opened for several years, but the 
Academical and Primary Schools are ah'eady in operation. The latter 
was begun upon the Mission premises, December 1, 1847. In the 
fii-st yeai- it averaged forty scholars, and we believe the present 
number is about sixtj^ Of these, sixteen are from the lake towns. 
They boai'd in families living on the Mission premises, and are en- 
tirely under the supervision and control of the Faculty. This is 
looked upon as the nucleus of the Academical Department. The 
students are under the charge of four of the Lay-brothers, who each 
spend three or four hours a day in the school, while the professor 
of languages gives it also his personal oversight. The Rev. Presi- 
dent visits it also once a day, remaining an hour for the purpose of 
teaching the catechism. There are several classes in tlie school in 
difierent grades of religious insti-uction, the teaching of which is 
contined entu'ely to the clerical members of the Institution. So 
great has been the progress of the scholai-s in seculai* learning, that 
many through the surrounding countiy who differ from us in faith, 
send their children, and even submit to the religious teachmg. 

During the past year tlie Faculty has been strengthened by the 
addition of another clerical Professor, who will probably devote his 
life to the interests of the Mission. Of him, it is only necessaiy to 
say, that his tliorough scholai-ship enables him to take the oversight 
of the department of languages, including the Hebrew; his aid is 
also rendered in several branches of the theological studies, and 
particularly in that spiritual trainmg of the students which is to give 
life and vitality to every tiling they acquii'e. 

The course of preparation for the candidateship is intended to be 
made thoroughly adequate to the mental necessities of one entering 
upon the study of theology in its various departments ; namely, as 
furnishing the requisite amount of mental discipline, a radical know- 



27 

ledge of the Latin and Greek languages, the primary mathematics, 
belles-lettres, histor}', mental and ethical philosophy. The course 
in this department although limited when compared with the paper 
course of ordinary colleges, will be adhered to strictly, will be en- 
larged from time to time, and embraces the most thorough tuition 
as far as it goes. Every thing has a direct reference to the mission- 
ary life. 

In the Latin language the studies are these: in addition to a 
thorough acquaintance with the Grammar, (which is furnished the 
Student in manuscript by the professor in this department, and is 
illustrated and explained at the black board,) and with the more 
primaiy books there are; 1. Conelius Nepos, entire, rendered into 
English, and imitations from him in English, rendered into Latin 
on alternate days. 2. Three books of Ceesar, and the History of 
Cataline, by Sallust, or in lieu of the latter, the four Catalinarian 
Orations of Cicero, with frequent translations of English into Latin. 
3. In Latin prosody, the Latin Rules of Alvarez committed accu- 
rately to memory, and applied in reading three books of Virgil's 
Eneid. 4. Livy, the first four books, (about two-thirds of the edi- 
tion commonly used,) analyzed with I'eference to the construction 
of Latin sentences, and the use of tenses, and translated at the same 
time with severe accuracy, and a due attention to the foundation of 
an English style, which it is believed may be better promoted in 
this way than any other. The Satires of Horace, entire, with some 
of the odes, in which particular attention is paid to the metres and 
scanning. Alvarez's Prosody is continued through this year. Add- 
ed to this, there are occasional exercises in the writing of original 
compositions in the Latin language, and once in ever}' month the 
class spend several hours in the presence of ihe Professor, when 
they are furnished with a piece of difficult Latin from one of the old 
authors, which they are required to ti-anslate into English in writing, 
without any other assistance than a Lexicon, in the way the exami- 
nation tests are conducted in tlie English Universities. 

In the Greek language the course is equally thorough. The stu- 
dent is required to recite a synopsis of the Grammar, embracing all 
the usual forms, from beginning to end, at one recitation, before he 
is allowed to begin translation at all. Then follow, Jacob's Greek 
Reader, two-thirds, the Cyropedia and Anabasis of Xenophon, six 
books of the Hiad, and a play of one of the tragic poets. The Greek 
course, however, is not j^et considered as full. 

The mathematics are pursued through Euclid, and in English 
studies, attention is paid to English Grammar and Rhetoric, the 



28 

Analysis of Pope's Essay on Man, composition of original essays? 
elocution and extemporaneous speaking. In the natural sciences, 
natural philosophy and chemistry, with the use of such apparatus 
as they may be able to [)rocure. In histoi-y, Taylor's Manual, with 
lectures, and in mental and moral science, the excellent Treatises 
of Abercrombie. 

This comprises the preparatory course at present, and consider- 
ing that every thing here laid down is exacted, it maj' be regarded 
as already not much inferior to that of ordinary colleges. The 
scheme of study thus described, is in actual operation at present, and 
not merely what is proposed to be done in the future. 

Having sustained a satisfactoiy examination in these studies, the 
student is prepared to become a candidate for Holy Orders, and to 
enter upon the study of the various branches of tlieology. 

The course of theological study emhvaces four ijears, and is mainly 
that laid down by the House of Bishops. 

In the first year, the student reads Prideaux, Home's Introduction, 
and the whole of the Greek Testament critically with Bloonifield's 
Amiotations. Hebrew is begun this year, the grammar mastered 
with Stuart's Chrestomatliy. The Hebrew course, as recently pi-e- 
scribed by the Faculty, embi'aces three years. The first is devoted 
to historical prose, with Exegesis; the second to the Messianic 
Psalms, with Christology ; the third to selections from the four great 
prophets, with lectures on Hebrew poetry and sacred hermeueutics. 
The second and third years are principally given to dogmatic 
theology. The usual topics, both didactic and controversial, are 
discussed by lecture, and in the use of the standard text books. 
Special attention is paid to the Calvinistic and Romish controver- 
sies, and the student is prepared as far as possible, not only to un- 
fold the doctrines of Christianity from the pulpit, but to meet and 
repel the various heresies which flourish no where in wilder and 
ranker luxuriance than in the West. Especially in moral theology, 
and wjiat may be called "subjective divinity," is pains taken to 
ground the student in Catholic doctrine. The doctrines of the fall, 
of original sin, of the grace of the Holy Spirit, of the need of an 
atonement, and of salvation only by Chi'ist's merits, and the further 
doctrines of conscience and the will, the aflfections, or those that in 
general concern man's nature, are largely dwelt ujion in the teach- 
ing of this year. 

The fourth year is devoted to Church history. In the composition 
and delivery of sermons, there are weekly exercises of all the stu- 
dents throughout the whole course. 



29 

The devotional services of the House remairi as they were two 
years ago, with some little addition. Every Sunday evening there 
is a spiritual conference on some subject in practical divinity, which 
is made altogether a devotional exercise, to promote in some mea- 
sure that growth in grace, and the wisdom that conieth from above, 
without which, the brethren of Nashotah feel that their labor were 
vain and their hopes vain, and which it is the primary object of their 
lives to acquire. A subject (for example, "humility" or "self-de- 
nial,") is assigned to the students at one conference, to be made a 
subject of meditation during the week, and they are to be prepared, 
when called upon, to declare the result of their reflections. The 
Professor then sums up, and concludes with prayers. The Rev. 
President and the professor of languages alternate every Sunday in 
the Chapel pulpit, and also preach extemporaneously after prayers 
every Wednesday and Friday evenings during Advent and Lent. 
Their sermons pursue a i-egular system of the practical catholic life, 
discussing those subjects which are most appropi-iate to the season 
of the year. 

We have thus placed before our readers as complete a view as 
possible of the Nashotah Mission. There seems to be no limit to 
the usefulness of the Listitution, if its friends at the East would fur- 
nish means for its expansion. It might occupy the whole diocese 
for the Church, not only moulding the minds of the rising genera- 
tion by its primary and academical departments, but yearly sending 
out men from the theological school who are trained to hardness 
and adapted to the labors of the West. But at present this influ- 
ence is narrowed by the impossibility of supplying accommodations 
for the students who apply. In a letter from the Rev. President, 
(dated June 2Uth, 1848,) he says: "We are crowded with students, 
and have now converted into rooms for the Lay-brothers, all our 
buildings that will admit of such transformation. I have refused 
three or more students this spring, and must i-efuse all that apply 
for the present. This is bad, I confess, but we have no means 
whereby to acconnnodate more, and no means to build. We have 
now thirty divinity students, and several more are expected whom 
I had engaged to take. What shall be done? Bishop Kemper 
wishes for clergy, and those suitable for the West. In a letter of 
May 20th, written at Burlington, Iowa, he says: 'You inform me 
you see not how you can take another student at Nashotah, foj. 
want of room. This is deplorable, when I see immense districts 
settling throughout the North West — Congregational preachers and 



30 

Romish priests crowding into tliem — and no one appearing even to 
tell of the Chiu-ch. If we ai-e right, we ought to accomplish much 
more than we do. I ought to have at least a dozen clergymen every 
year to locate. There is a place not more than twelve miles from 
Galena, where without moving a step, only turning around, six 
Romish Chapels can be counted.' " And in a letter to the writer of 
this pamphlet, (dated Feb. 6, 1849,) the Bishop sa}s: "Buildings 
are now exceedingly needed. The determination of the Trustees 
and of the Faculty, and particularly of our indomitably persevering 
President, to keep out of debt, may greatly delay the growth of Na- 
shotah, but must aftbrd satisfaction to every friend of our glorious 
cause, that there Avill be no waste of fimds and no breaking up of 
the Institution. Oh! if the Church at the East would only give us 
means, Zion in Wisconsin would soon be flourishing, glorious, and 
powerful." 

Let the fact then be knowTi to the Church, that youvg men looking 
forward to Holy Orders, are prevented from enteriyig on their studies, 
because they can not be accommodated at .Xashotah. But ought these 
things so to be ? Shall the golden opportunity for the West pass 
by, and the field be occupied by others, and laborers be asked for 
in vain, while they themselves are standing read\, saying: "Here 
am I, send me ? " 

We would propose then an effort in which all can take an inte- 
rest. Dr. IMuhlenberg has procured the plan, (referred to in one of 
the former letters,) which admits of additions to any extent. In ac- 
cordance with it, one permanent building could be erected, consist- 
ent in itself, but part only of a whole, for the sum of one thousand 
dollars. This will answer for the theological depai'tment, while at 
any time a similar one can be erected for the academical students. 
Are there not then one hundred individuals who will contribute ten 
dollars each, so that this ])lan can be carried out during the coming 
spring? Supply merely the means for building, (and building can 
be done at a cheap rate, since brick is manufactured on the spot,) 
and in a few years Nashotah will have a hundred young men train- 
ing for the ministiy, instead of thirty. Will not eveiy clergymen 
who reads this statement, procure one or more such subscribers 
hmong his parishoners ? Are there not ten rich men who can 
themselves each give a hundred dollars, and who will not regret 
the offering "in die horn- of death and in the day of judgment.'" 

We commend it then to the Church. There are those who in 
suffering and toil are laying deep the foundations of our faith in the 



31 

mighty West ; shall we uphold them ? or shall we let them struggle 
on, and a whole generation pass away in ignorance, while we will 
do nothing that the desolate may stretch out their hands to God, and 
" Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and His children who 
are in the midst of this naughty world, may be saved through Him 
forever ? " 



NOTICE. 

Any donations for Nashotah can be forwarded to William 
H, A SPIN WALL, Esq., New York, by whom they will be ac- 
knowledged in our Church papers. 



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